Councilman Alarcon makes statement about daughter

The story on Board of Public Works president Andrea Alarcon being in trouble for the handling of her 11-year-old daughter inched forward a tiny bit on Friday. The LA Times said that, in addition to yesterday's news that she was seeking some kind of unspecified "treatment" in response to being investigated by the LAPD and DA, Alarcon would use sick time to take a paid leave of absence from her City Hall post, in the words of a Mayor Villaraigosa spokesman.

Then on Friday afternoon, Councilman Richard Alarcon's office issued a short statement of support for the councilman's daughter and granddaughter.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcon released the following statement today regarding recent reports that his daughter, Andrea Alarcon would take a leave of absence from her job as President of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works:
"My daughter and granddaughter have a beautiful relationship and I am proud of Andrea's ability to balance single parenting with an intense professional career. Obviously, as a father, I am concerned about the recent reports in the media about my daughter. As a family, we take these matters very seriously and are supporting Andrea and my granddaughter through this difficult time.
"I do not believe these incidents have affected Andrea's job performance. She is recognized as an amazing talent at City Hall. But I am pleased that Andrea is seeking the professional help she needs to resolve these matters.
"Andrea has my full support and I am confident that our family will overcome this challenge."

The Times reported this week that Andrea Alarcon's 11-year-old daughter was found unattended in City Hall just before midnight last Friday, the same night that a big political soiree was held in the building. The girl, identified on Alarcon's Board of Public Works website as Cheyenne, was taken to the LAPD's Central division station. The Times said that the commissioner showed up to claim her child about 2 a.m., and that the LAPD and district attorney's office have been investigating the circumstances. Andrea Alarcon already is facing charges of DUI and child endangerment after a driving arrest in San Bernardino County.

On Thanksgiving morning, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa put out a statement saying that his long-time commissioner would seek some kind of "professional help and treatment," leaving everyone free to speculate on the types of problems that Alarcon would seek help on. No other details were offered.